High speed vibrations, you tell me why

[ORCoaster]

K guys, will tackle what I can over the weekend if it don't rain.  In Portland, yeah, your getting wet buddy. 

I have had mixed results with new axles.  Seems the thing to do is get those that have the lifetime warranty even if they only last a year or so at least you're not buying the full boat again.  I once owned a Subaru Justy that would go through axles like cotton candy in a rainstorm.  Once I returned them the third time the supplier told me he couldn't understand why such a light car would do that kind of damage.  But he always sent a new one as soon as I called and the box came with a return label prepaid.  Very worthwhile investment the first time out.

I will loosen and giggle the engine into place first and see if that solves the problem as a means of eliminating variables.  Like I said going back one giant step from the last part touched.

Thanks. DAS

[ORCoaster]

Well, jacked it up, loosened the engine and got it to stop transferring massive vibrations into the body.  Then double checked bearing and tire on drivers side.  Crawled underneath again and got about 1/8 of a turn on all hex head bolts holding the axle flange to the differential.  That was the one I replaced earlier.  

Proceed to Passenger side.  No problem with the axle or hex nuts on that side.  Double check the bearings, nothing loose or wiggling here.  Spin tire,  WHOA what is that?  Why it is a freaking bulge and a ripple across the tire.  So who said check the tires?  EDIT:  First theman53 said it and again suggested by Rabbitman, youse da winners man, Take a bow or a brew, whatever.  

I threw on the spare and tried it on the main drag which has several miles of 30 then jumps to 45 and 55 ending at the exit ramp to I-5.  Doubled back on interstate doing 60-65.  Still a bit of a shake.  Probably due to the fact that the tires one one side were 185 60 14 and the other 175 70 13.  Time to take a run to the tire store and swap the spare over to the better rims.  20 bucks later it rolls like it used to.  

So thanks all'   My guess is that given a little bit of sunshine the first time I looked at it I would have seen the bulge and never asked the questions I did.  Tough to source out problems at the end of a flashlight in the rain.  

Check the tire: After they removed it and threw it on the junk pile



And Still on the rim:

[theman53]

If it doesn't go away with the engine RPM it is drive line related. I would guess you lost a wheel weight or there is a balloon in your tire. I had a rabbit with the rear tire that went bad on the inside and I didn't find it forever. Most speeds it was fine.

[ORCoaster]

Moderators don't count cause they can slip in and change dates posted and such and make themselves look good.  Sorry, should have given you the credit.  Will have to edit the title, again.

At least I am rolling without the shakes,  That was unnerving.  

[theman53]

I suggested it because one time I put ball joints, inner and outer tie rods, control arm bushings and had it aligned professionally...still had the shake. I didn't mess with the rear too much other than look at it. I couldn't see anything. About 2 months later I had a football sized balloon coming off the main tire shape on the rear, and it was growing daily. Looked like Gumby or Bobby Brown years ago. Who would have thought that the rear had anything to do with the way things go down the road. Mine even seemed to change when you were steering, so I thought front for sure. I let it go to see how big it would get and after about that 2.5 month mark I took it off as I was starting to get scared. After all that I always check tires first.

I am not taking advantage of being a mod like that...yet LOL.

You just have to understand as little help as I am here, I need the fact of being right occasionally. It helps me post more, and then the more you throw at a wall something will stick eventually

[ORCoaster]

We will have to put a star next to your name when you actually get something right then.  Thanks

[theman53]

I prefer smiley face or a heart, but I will take a star

[R.O.R-2.0]

Well, jacked it up, loosened the engine and got it to stop transferring massive vibrations into the body.  Then double checked bearing and tire on drivers side.  Crawled underneath again and got about 1/8 of a turn on all hex head bolts holding the axle flange to the differential.  That was the one I replaced earlier.  

Proceed to Passenger side.  No problem with the axle or hex nuts on that side.  Double check the bearings, nothing loose or wiggling here.  Spin tire,  WHOA what is that?  Why it is a freaking bulge and a ripple across the tire.  So who said check the tires?  EDIT:  First theman53 said it and again suggested by Rabbitman, youse da winners man, Take a bow or a brew, whatever.  

I threw on the spare and tried it on the main drag which has several miles of 30 then jumps to 45 and 55 ending at the exit ramp to I-5.  Doubled back on interstate doing 60-65.  Still a bit of a shake.  Probably due to the fact that the tires one one side were 185 60 14 and the other 175 70 13.  Time to take a run to the tire store and swap the spare over to the better rims.  20 bucks later it rolls like it used to.  

So thanks all'   My guess is that given a little bit of sunshine the first time I looked at it I would have seen the bulge and never asked the questions I did.  Tough to source out problems at the end of a flashlight in the rain.  

Check the tire: After they removed it and threw it on the junk pile



And Still on the rim:

those tires are junk.. i ran a set once upon a time, and 3 of the 4 died early.. 1 had a bead rip out, and 2 suffered broken belts. one of witch was almost exactly the same broken as the tire you pictured.. almost thought it was a picture of my old tires for a second!

[ORCoaster]

R.O.R.  I picked these up from a guy in July, it was 95 degrees here in Portland and I was buying snowtires.  Yes, think ahead. 

Well buyer beware is what I think I learned here because this it the second tire of the set that has gone gunny bag on me.  The man honestly sold them to me with the disclaimer, I have had these sitting around a long time so they may not hold up very well.  Depends on how you run them.  Well I ran them hot, hard and in a fully overloaded car most of the time.  The potholes, railroad tracks and such may have played into their demise but I still am running two on the front.  Another unmatched set, that I know is only one year old, are on the back. 

Lesson learned, Craigslist is good, I picked up four tires and steelie rims for 80 bucks.  In that time I have spent 120 buying new tires and getting them all mounted and balanced and another 80 on the cool, you love em, snowflake rims.  Come spring I will invest in new tires on different rims so I can swap easily between the summer and winter sets.  Those will cost me 300 so where did I save money and aggravation? 

Buyer beware.  Seems a waste of plenty of good tread to throw them away but I can't drive them that way now can I.

DAS